U.S. patent application number 11/946566 was filed with the patent office on 2009-02-19 for portable communication device having a dual camera module with a common image sensor element.
This patent application is currently assigned to Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB. Invention is credited to Paul Futter, Alexander Hunt.
Application Number | 20090047995 11/946566 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39577877 |
Filed Date | 2009-02-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090047995 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Futter; Paul ; et
al. |
February 19, 2009 |
PORTABLE COMMUNICATION DEVICE HAVING A DUAL CAMERA MODULE WITH A
COMMON IMAGE SENSOR ELEMENT
Abstract
A portable communication device is equipped with a dual camera
module having a first or main camera module, a second or video
telephony camera module and a common image sensor element
configured to receive images from the first and second camera
modules. The dual camera module includes image-shifting optics
configured to shift images from the second camera module onto a
portion of a common image sensor such that images from the main
camera module may be received by a first or main portion of the
common image sensor and images from the second camera module may be
received by a secondary portion of the common image sensor.
Inventors: |
Futter; Paul; (Cary, NC)
; Hunt; Alexander; (Durham, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WARREN A. SKLAR (SOER);RENNER, OTTO, BOISSELLE & SKLAR, LLP
1621 EUCLID AVENUE, 19TH FLOOR
CLEVELAND
OH
44115
US
|
Assignee: |
Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications
AB
Lund
SE
|
Family ID: |
39577877 |
Appl. No.: |
11/946566 |
Filed: |
November 28, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60955943 |
Aug 15, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
455/556.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 7/142 20130101;
H04N 5/2257 20130101; H04N 2007/145 20130101; H04N 5/2251 20130101;
H04N 5/2253 20130101; H04N 5/2258 20130101; H04N 5/225 20130101;
H04N 5/2254 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/556.1 |
International
Class: |
H04M 1/00 20060101
H04M001/00 |
Claims
1. A portable communication device comprising: a housing; a display
supported within a portion of the housing; and a dual camera module
disposed within the housing, wherein the dual camera module
comprises: a first camera module positioned for capturing images
adjacent to a first side of the housing; a second camera module
positioned for capturing images adjacent to a second side of the
housing; and a common image sensor element configured to receive
images from the first camera module and the second camera
module.
2. The portable communication device according to claim 1, wherein
the first camera module is positioned to direct captured images
onto a main portion of the common image sensor element
3. The portable communication device according to claim 2, wherein
the dual camera module further comprises image-shifting optics
configured to shift images from the second camera module onto a
portion of the common image sensor element.
4. The portable communication device according to claim 1, wherein
the first camera module includes a camera configured to capture
still and/or moving images.
5. The portable communication device according to claim 4, wherein
the second camera module is a video telephony module configured to
capture video images.
6. The portable communication device according to claim 4, wherein
the second camera module is configured to capture images of a user
of the portable communication device for use in a video telephony
communications session.
7. The portable communication device according to claim 1, wherein
the first camera module includes a first camera aperture disposed
within a rear side of the housing.
8. The portable communication device according to claim 7, wherein
the second camera module includes a second camera aperture disposed
within a front side of the housing; and wherein the display is
disposed on the front side of the housing.
9. The portable communication device according to claim 1, wherein
the portable communication device is a mobile telephone.
10. A portable communication device comprising: a housing; and a
dual camera module within the housing, the dual camera module
comprising: a main camera module; a video telephony module; and a
common image sensor element configured to receive images from the
main camera module and the video telephony module.
11. The portable communication according to claim 10, wherein the
main camera module is configured to direct captured images onto a
main portion of the common image sensor element.
12. The portable communication device according to claim 11,
wherein the dual camera module includes image-shifting optics
configured to shift images captured by the video telephony module
onto a secondary portion of the common image sensor element.
13. The portable communication device according to claim 10,
wherein the main camera module includes a main camera aperture
disposed within a first side of the housing, and the video
telephony module includes a video telephony aperture disposed
within a second side of the housing.
14. The portable communication device according to claim 10,
wherein the portable communication device is a mobile
telephone.
15. A dual camera module for use with a portable communication
device, the dual camera module comprising: a main camera module
configured to capture still and/or moving images; a video telephony
camera module configured to capture video images; and a common
image sensor element configured to receive images from the main
camera module and the video telephony camera module.
16. The dual camera module according to claim 15, further
comprising: image-shifting optics configured to direct images from
the video telephony camera module onto a secondary portion of the
common image sensor element.
17. The dual camera module according to claim 16, wherein the main
camera module is positioned to direct captured images onto a main
portion of the common image sensor element
17. The dual camera module according to claim 15, further
comprising: image-shifting optics configured to direct images from
the main camera module onto a secondary portion of the common image
sensor element.
18. The dual camera module according to claim 17, wherein the video
telephony camera module is positioned to direct captured images
onto a main portion of the common image sensor element.
19. A mobile telephone comprising a housing that supports the dual
camera module according to claim 15.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION DATA
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/955,943, filed Aug. 15, 2007,
the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to portable
communication devices, and more particularly, to a portable
communication device having a dual camera module with a common
image sensor element.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
[0003] In recent years, portable communication devices, such as
mobile phones, personal digital assistants, mobile terminals, etc.,
continue to grow in popularity. As the popularity of portable
communication devices continues to grow, today's wireless landscape
is rapidly changing as mobile phones and networks are being
enhanced to provide features and services beyond voice
communications. The wireless industry is experiencing a rapid
expansion of mobile data services and enhanced functionality. In
addition, the features associated with certain types of portable
communication devices have become increasingly diverse. To name a
few examples, many portable communication devices have text
messaging capability, Internet browsing functionality, electronic
mail capability, video playback capability, audio playback
capability, image display capability and hands-free headset
interfaces.
[0004] With the popularization of digital cameras, many portable
communication devices are equipped with relatively small digital
cameras contained within the camera housing. In addition, some
Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) mobile phones are
equipped with two camera modules. Typically, one camera module has
a first image sensor element, and provides two- or three-megapixel
resolution for still and video imaging, while the other camera
module, e.g., a lower resolution Video Graphics Array (VGA) or
Quarter Common Intermediate Format (QCIF) camera module, has a
second image sensor element, and may be used for video
conferencing.
SUMMARY
[0005] The present invention provides a portable communication
device having a dual camera module with a common sensor element.
The dual camera module includes a main camera module and a video
conferencing or video telephony camera module. Focusing optics are
employed to direct images from the main camera module onto a main
portion of the single sensor element. Image-shifting optics are
employed to direct images from the secondary camera module onto a
secondary portion of the single sensor element.
[0006] One aspect of the invention relates to a portable
communication device that includes a housing, a display supported
within a portion of the housing, and a dual camera module disposed
within the housing. The dual camera module includes a first camera
module positioned for capturing images adjacent to a first side of
the housing, a second camera module positioned for capturing images
adjacent to a second side of the housing, and a common image sensor
element configured to receive images from the first camera module
and the second camera module.
[0007] According to another aspect, the first camera module is
positioned to direct captured images onto a main portion of the
common image sensor element
[0008] According to another aspect, the dual camera module further
comprises image-shifting optics configured to shift images from the
second camera module onto a portion of the common image sensor
element.
[0009] According to another aspect, the first camera module
includes a camera configured to capture still and/or moving
images.
[0010] According to another aspect, the second camera module is a
video telephony module configured to capture video images.
[0011] According to another aspect, the second camera module is
configured to capture images of a user of the portable
communication device for use in a video telephony communications
session.
[0012] According to another aspect, the first camera module
includes a first camera aperture disposed within a rear side of the
housing.
[0013] According to another aspect, the second camera module
includes a second camera aperture disposed within a front side of
the housing; and wherein the display is disposed on the front side
of the housing.
[0014] According to another aspect, the portable communication
device is a mobile telephone.
[0015] Another aspect of the invention relates to a portable
communication device that includes a housing and a dual camera
module within the housing, where the dual camera module includes a
main camera module, a video telephony module, and a common image
sensor element configured to receive images from the main camera
module and the video telephony module.
[0016] According to another aspect, the main camera module is
configured to direct captured images onto a main portion of the
common image sensor element.
[0017] According to another aspect, the dual camera module includes
image-shifting optics configured to shift images captured by the
video telephony module onto a secondary portion of the common image
sensor element.
[0018] According to another aspect, the main camera module includes
a main camera aperture disposed within a first side of the housing,
and the video telephony module includes a video telephony aperture
disposed within a second side of the housing.
[0019] According to another aspect, the portable communication
device is a mobile telephone.
[0020] Another aspect of the invention relates to a dual camera
module for use with a portable communication device. The dual
camera module includes a main camera module configured to capture
still and/or moving images, a video telephony camera module
configured to capture video images, and a common image sensor
element configured to receive images from the main camera module
and the video telephony camera module.
[0021] According to another aspect, the dual camera module includes
image-shifting optics configured to direct images from the video
telephony camera module onto a secondary portion of the common
image sensor element.
[0022] According to another aspect, the main camera module is
positioned to direct captured images onto a main portion of the
common image sensor element
[0023] According to another aspect, the dual camera module includes
image-shifting optics configured to direct images from the main
camera module onto a secondary portion of the common image sensor
element.
[0024] According to another aspect, the video telephony camera
module is positioned to direct captured images onto a main portion
of the common image sensor element.
[0025] According to another aspect, a mobile telephone includes a
housing that supports a dual camera module.
[0026] These and further features of the present invention will be
apparent with reference to the following description and attached
drawings. In the description and drawings, particular embodiments
of the invention have been disclosed in detail as being indicative
of some of the ways in which the principles of the invention may be
employed, but it is understood that the invention is not limited
correspondingly in scope. Rather, the invention includes all
changes, modifications and equivalents coming within the spirit and
terms of the claims appended thereto.
[0027] Features that are described and/or illustrated with respect
to one embodiment may be used in the same way or in a similar way
in one or more other embodiments and/or in combination with or
instead of the features of the other embodiments.
[0028] It should be emphasized that the term "comprises/comprising"
when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of
stated features, integers, steps or components but does not
preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,
integers, steps, components or groups thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0029] Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with
reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings
are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon
clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention.
Likewise, elements and features depicted in one drawing may be
combined with elements and features depicted in additional
drawings. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals
designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
[0030] FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a mobile telephone as an
exemplary portable communication device having a dual camera
module;
[0031] FIG. 2 is a schematic rear view of the mobile telephone of
FIG. 1;
[0032] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of an exemplary mobile
telephone including a dual camera module;
[0033] FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic illustration of a dual camera
module in accordance with one embodiment; and
[0034] FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic illustration of a dual camera
module in accordance with another embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0035] In the detailed description that follows, like components
have been given the same reference numerals regardless of whether
they are shown in different embodiments of the present invention.
To illustrate the present invention in a clear and concise manner,
the drawings may not necessarily be to scale and certain features
may be shown in somewhat schematic form.
[0036] Many Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS)
mobile phones include two camera modules. Typically, one module
includes a first sensor element having two- or three-megapixel
resolution for photography, while the other module includes a
second sensor element having a lower resolution, e.g., Video
Graphics Array (VGA) or Quarter Common Intermediate Format (QCIF)
resolution, used for video conferencing. As mobile phone designs
move into smaller and smaller form factors, an advantage may be
found in eliminating components or reducing component size.
[0037] The present disclosure describes a portable communication
device equipped with a dual camera module having a common image
sensor element. The dual camera module includes a main camera
module, e.g., a camera configured to capture still and moving
images, and a secondary camera module, e.g., a video telephony
module or video conferencing camera module. The dual camera module
employs optics that are configured to direct images from the main
camera module and the secondary camera module onto portions of a
common image sensor element, thereby allowing for a lower profile
camera module to accommodate a main camera and video telephony
camera.
[0038] As referred to herein, the term "portable communication
device" includes portable radio communication equipment. The term
"portable radio communication equipment", which herein after is
referred to as a mobile phone, a mobile device, a mobile radio
terminal or a mobile terminal, includes all electronic equipment,
including, but not limited to, mobile telephones, pagers,
communicators, i.e., electronic organizers, smartphones, personal
digital assistants (PDAs), or the like. While the present invention
is being discussed with respect to portable communication devices,
it is to be appreciated that the invention is not intended to be
limited to portable communication devices, and can be applied to
any type of electronic equipment equipped with a dual camera
module.
[0039] Referring initially to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a portable
communication device 10 is shown in accordance with the present
invention. In the exemplary embodiment described herein, the
portable communication device is a mobile phone 10. Of course, it
will be appreciated that the present invention is applicable to
other portable communication devices. The mobile phone 10 is shown
as having a "block" or "candy bar" type of housing 12, but it will
be appreciated that other housing types, such as clamshell or
slide-type housings may be utilized without departing from the
scope of the present invention. The housing includes a first or
front side 13 and a second or rear side 15.
[0040] The mobile phone 10 includes a display 14 and a keypad 16.
The display displays information to a user, such as operating
state, time, phone numbers, contact information, various
navigational menus, etc., which enable the user to utilize the
various features of the mobile phone 10. The display may also be
used to visually display content received by the mobile phone 10
and/or retrieve from the memory of the mobile phone 10. In
addition, an image or images may be displayed on the display 14,
such as a photograph taken by a camera of the mobile phone 10, a
video stream received by the mobile phone 10, or a photo preview
image when the display 14 functions as an electronic viewfinder for
the camera.
[0041] The keypad 16 may provide for a variety of user input
operations. For example, the keypad 16 may include alphanumeric
keys 18 for allowing entry of alphanumeric information, such as
telephone numbers, phone lists, contact information, notes and the
like. In addition, the keypad 16 may include special function keys
20, such as a "call send" key for initiating or answering a key or
answering a call and a "call end" key for ending or "hanging up" a
call. Special function keys 20 may also include menu navigation
keys, for example, for navigating through a menu displayed on the
display to select different telephone functions, profiles,
settings, and the like, as is conventional. Other keys associated
with the mobile phone may include a volume key, an audio mute key,
an on/off power key, a web browser launch key, a camera key, a
video conferencing key, and the like. Keys or key-like
functionality may also be embodied as a touch screen associated
with the display 14.
[0042] Artisans will appreciate that the mobile phone 10 further
includes suitable circuitry and software for performing various
functionality. The circuitry and software of the mobile phone is
coupled with input devices, such as a keypad 16, the functional
keys 18 and a microphone 24, as well as to the output devices,
including the display 14 and a speaker 26.
[0043] In the illustrated embodiment, the mobile phone 10 also
includes a dual camera module 38 (FIG. 3). As is discussed more
fully below, the dual camera module includes a main camera 44
(typically including a flash 45) and a secondary camera 46, such as
a video conferencing camera or video telephony camera. As is
described more fully below, the dual camera module is configured
such that the main camera 44 and the secondary camera 46 may be
used in conjunction with a common image sensor element, where
appropriate optic direct images from both the main camera 44 and
the secondary camera 46 onto the common image sensor element.
[0044] FIG. 3 represents a functional block diagram of a portable
communication device 10, e.g., a mobile phone. The portable
communication device 10 includes a controller 30 that controls the
overall operation of the portable communication device. The
controller 30 may include any commercially available or custom
microprocessor or microcontroller. Memory 32 is operatively
connected to the controller 30 for storing control programs and
data used by the portable communication device. The memory 32 is
representative of the overall hierarchy of memory devices
containing software and data used to implement the functionality of
the portable communication device in accordance with one or more
aspects described herein. The memory 32 may include, for example,
RAM or other volatile solid-state memory, flash or other
non-volatile solid-state memory, a magnetic storage medium such as
a hard disk drive, a removable storage media, or other suitable
storage means. In addition to handling voice communications, the
portable communication device 10 may be configured to transmit,
receive and process data, such as text messages (also known as
short message service or SMS), electronic mail messages, multimedia
messages (also known as MMS), image files, video files, audio
files, ring tones, streaming audio, streaming video, such as video
generated during video conferencing or video telephony sessions,
data feeds (e.g., podcasts) and so forth.
[0045] In the illustrated embodiment, memory 32 stores drivers 34,
e.g., I/O device drivers, application programs 36, e.g., a video
conferencing application program 38, and application program data
40. The I/O device drivers include software routines that are
accessed through the controller 30 (or by an operating system (not
shown) stored in memory 32) by the application programs 36, e.g., a
video conferencing application program 38, to communicate with
devices such as a display 14, a keypad 16, e.g., a standard keypad,
a QWERTY keypad or a touch screen keypad, a dual camera module 42,
as well as other input/output ports. As is described more fully
below, the dual camera module 42 may include a main camera module
44 and a secondary camera module 46 (also referred to herein as a
video telephony module or a video conferencing camera), and a
common image sensor element 48. The dual camera module may be
operatively coupled to an image processor 50, and configured to
provide still and/or video camera functionality along with video
telephony functionality, while making use of a common image sensor
element 48. A power supply 49, typically including a battery,
provides power to the various parts of the mobile phone, such as
the display and the dual camera module, for carrying out the
various functionality of the mobile phone.
[0046] The application programs comprise programs that implement
various features of the portable communication device 10, such as
voice calls, video conferencing or other video telephony
applications, e-mail, Internet access, multimedia messaging,
contact manager and the like.
[0047] With continued reference to FIG. 3, the controller 30
interfaces with the aforementioned display 14, keypad 16 and dual
camera module 42 (and any other user interface device(s)), a
transmitter/receiver 52 (often referred to as a transceiver), audio
processing circuitry, such as an audio processor 54, and a position
determination element or position receiver, such as a global
positioning system (GPS) receiver. Image, audio and/or video files
may be stored in memory 32.
[0048] An antenna 56 is coupled to the transmitter/receiver 52 such
that the transmitter/receiver 52 transmits and receives signals via
antenna 56, as is conventional. The mobile phone may include an
audio processor 54 for processing the audio signals transmitted by
and received from the transmitter/receiver. Coupled to the audio
processor 54 are a microphone 24 and a speaker 26, which enable a
user to listen and speak via the portable communication device.
Audio data may be passed to the audio processor 54 for playback to
the user. The audio processor 54 may include any appropriate
buffers, decoders, amplifiers and the like.
[0049] The portable communication device also may include one or
more local wireless interfaces, such as an infrared transceiver
and/or an RF adapter, e.g., a Bluetooth adapter, WLAN adapter,
Ultra-Wideband (UWB) adapter and the like, for establishing
communication with an accessory, a hands free adapter, e.g., a
headset that may audibly output sound corresponding to audio data
transferred from the portable communication device 10 to the
adapter, another mobile radio terminal, a computer, or any other
electronic device. Also, a wireless interface may be representative
of an interface suitable for communication within a cellular
network or other wireless wide-area network (WWAN).
[0050] Referring now to FIG. 4, an exemplary dual camera module 42
is depicted. The dual camera module 42 includes a first or main
camera module (referred to generally as 44), and a secondary camera
module (referred to generally as 46). The dual camera module 42
includes a common image sensor element 48 that is configured to
receive images from the main camera module 44 and the secondary
camera module 46. The common image sensor element 48 may include
any suitable imaging element, such as a solid-state imaging
element, e.g., CCD (charged coupled device) or a CMOS
(complimentary metal oxide semiconductor). The dual camera module
42 is configured such that the common image sensor element 48 may
be used to capture images from both the main camera module 44 and
the secondary camera module 46.
[0051] The main camera module may include any camera that is
operable to capture still and/or video images while housed within
the portable communication device. In one exemplary embodiment, the
main camera module includes a suitable focusing lens 60, e.g., a
zoom lens, for forming a main camera image on a main portion of the
common image sensor element 48. As is shown in FIG. 2, the main
camera module may include a first or main camera aperture in the
rear side 15 of the mobile phone housing 12.
[0052] In a preferred embodiment, the secondary camera 46 may
include a video conferencing camera or a video telephony module
having an aperture disposed on the front side 13 of the housing 12,
e.g., the side of the housing on which the display 14 is disposed.
In one exemplary embodiment, the video telephony module includes
suitable focusing optics 62, e.g., a zoom lens, for focusing and
transmitting video conference images to suitable image-shifting
optics (designated generally as 70). The image-shifting optics 70
may be configured to shift the image from the video telephony
module to another or secondary portion of the common image sensor
element 48.
[0053] It will be appreciated that a variety of suitable
image-shifting optics configurations may be employed without
departing from the scope of the present invention. In the exemplary
embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the image-shifting optics 70
include a pair of prisms 72 that cooperate with each other and with
the focusing lens 62 to direct the video telephony module images
onto a secondary portion onto the common image sensor element 48.
Of course, other image-shifting configurations or techniques may be
employed, including, but not limited to, a series of mirrors, beam
splitters/combiners, fiber optic focusing elements, and the
like.
[0054] In a preferred embodiment, the dual camera module 42 is
configured such that an aperture for the main camera is disposed on
a first side of the phone housing, e.g., the rear side 15 of the
phone housing 12, and the secondary camera aperture is disposed on
an opposite side of the phone housing, e.g., a front side 13 of the
phone housing 12. This configuration may be particularly suitable
for a phone embodiment in which the phone has traditional camera
functionality, e.g., the ability to capture still and/or moving
images, in conjunction with video conferencing or video telephony
functionality. However, it is to be appreciated that the dual
camera module is not limited to this particular configuration. For
example, both the main camera aperture and the secondary camera
aperture may be disposed on a common side of the phone housing or
on a side surface of the phone without departing from the scope of
the present invention.
[0055] FIG. 5, in which like elements are represented by like
reference numerals with respect to FIG. 4, depicts an alternative
configuration of the dual camera module in which images from the
secondary camera module 46, e.g., a video telephony module, are
shifted onto a rear side or surface of the single or common image
sensor element 48. This embodiment may be suitable where the dual
camera module employs a double-sided common image sensor element
48. As is shown in FIG. 5, the illustrated common image sensor
element 48 includes a first image sensor surface 80 and a second
image sensor surface 82, where images from the main camera module
44 are focused on the first side or surface 82 of the common image
sensor element and images from the secondary camera module 46 are
focused on the second side or surface 82 of the common image sensor
element 48.
[0056] It will be appreciated that the dual camera module described
above may be employed in conjunction with a common image processor
because (at least in the UMTS phone embodiment in which main camera
functionality is coupled with video conferencing functionality),
the main camera and the secondary camera would not be used at the
same time. Further, the provision of the above-described dual
camera module enables a lower profile camera module, which, in
turn, may lead to a mobile phone having a lower or smaller profile
housing.
[0057] Specific embodiments of an invention are disclosed herein.
One of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the
invention may have other applications in other environments. In
fact, many embodiments and implementations are possible. The
following claims are in no way intended to limit the scope of the
present invention to the specific embodiments described above. In
addition, any recitation of "means for" is intended to evoke a
means-plus-function reading of an element and a claim, whereas, any
elements that do not specifically use the recitation "means for",
are not intended to be read as means-plus-function elements, even
if the claim otherwise includes the word "means".
[0058] Although the invention has been shown and described with
respect to a certain preferred embodiment or embodiments, it is
obvious that equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to
others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of
this specification and the annexed drawings. In particular regard
to the various functions performed by the above described elements
(components, assemblies, devices, compositions, etc.), the terms
(including a reference to a "means") used to describe such elements
are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any
element which performs the specified function of the described
element (i.e., that is functionally equivalent), even though not
structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs
the function in the herein illustrated exemplary embodiment or
embodiments of the invention. In addition, while a particular
feature of the invention may have been described above with respect
to only one or more of several illustrated embodiments, such
feature may be combined with one or more other features of the
other embodiments, as may be desired and advantageous for any given
or particular application.
* * * * *